Methods for aligning an antenna with a satellite

Abstract

Methods for aligning a satellite reflector with an antenna that has a feed/LNBF assembly. The feed/LNBF assembly is electronically coupled to a set top box which is electronically coupled to a television that has a television speaker. A transmitter is placed adjacent the television speaker. The speaker transmits the audio tones emitted by the television speaker which are indicative to the alignment of the antenna with a satellite to a speaker located adjacent to or attached to the antenna or antenna support structures.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of aligning an antenna with a satellite, wherein the antenna has a centerline and a low noise block amplifier with an integrated feed that is electronically coupled to a set top box which is electronically coupled to a television having a television speaker therein, the method comprising: 
       receiving signals from the satellite through the low noise block amplifier with integrated feed;  
       amplifying and down converting the received satellite signals;  
       conveying the amplified and down converted signals to the set top box;  
       tuning the amplified and down converted signals such that the set top box causes a series of tones to be emitted from the television speaker which are indicative of the alignment of the antenna centerline with the satellite; and  
       transmitting the series of tones to a speaker located adjacent the antenna.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the transmitting comprises placing a transmitter adjacent the television speaker, the transmitter transmitting the series of tones to the speaker adjacent the antenna. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the low noise block amplifier with an integrated feed is supported by a support arm and wherein the method further comprises supporting the speaker on the support arm. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein the supporting the speaker on the support arm comprises suspending the speaker from the support arm. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3  wherein the supporting the speaker on the support arm comprises clamping the speaker to the support arm. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the speaker is placed on the ground adjacent the antenna. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the antenna has mounting bracket attached thereto and wherein the method further comprises affixing the speaker to the mounting bracket. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7  wherein the affixing the speaker to the mounting bracket comprises magnetically attaching the speaker to the mounting bracket. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7  wherein the affixing the speaker to the mounting bracket comprises attaching the speaker to the mounting bracket with hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7  wherein the affixing the speaker to the mounting bracket comprises suspending the speaker from the mounting bracket. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  wherein the antenna is supported by a mast and wherein the method further comprises affixing the speaker to the mast. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein the affixing the speaker to the mast comprises magnetically attaching the speaker to the mast. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11  wherein the affixing the speaker to the mast comprises affixing the speaker to the mast with hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
       14. A method of aligning an antenna having a centerline and a low noise block amplifier with an integrated feed with a satellite, said method comprising: 
       electronically coupling a set top box to a television having a television speaker;  
       electronically coupling the feed/LNBF assembly of the antenna to the set top box;  
       receiving signals from the satellite through the low noise block amplifier with integrated feed;  
       amplifying and down converting the received satellite signals;  
       conveying the amplified and down converted signals to the set stop box;  
       tuning the amplified and down converted signals such that the set top box causes a series of tones to be emitted from the television speaker which are indicative of the alignment of the antenna with the satellite;  
       supporting a speaker adjacent to the antenna; and  
       supporting a transmitter adjacent the television speaker, the transmitter transmitting the series of tones emitted by the television speaker to the speaker.  
     
     
       15. An antenna installation method, comprising: 
       affixing an antenna having a low noise block amplifier with an integrated feed to a vertically extending mast;  
       electronically coupling a set top box to a television having a television speaker;  
       receiving signals from the satellite through the low noise block amplifier with integrated feed;  
       amplifying and down converting the received satellite signals;  
       conveying the amplified and down converted signals to the set stop box;  
       tuning the amplified and down converted signals such that the set top box causes a series of tones to be emitted from the television speaker which are indicative of the alignment of the antenna with the satellite;  
       affixing a speaker the vertically extending mast; and  
       supporting a transmitter adjacent the television speaker, the transmitter transmitting the series of tones emitted by the television speaker to the speaker.